Naperville North wins BG invite
As a youngster, Naperville North golfer Eric Izzo had dreams of being a high school basketball star.
And when the Huskies boys golf team finished up early at Saturday’s Buffalo Grove Invitational, they headed as a group over to the the Buffalo Grove Septemberfest across the street — where Izzo promptly sank all 3 of his shots at the basketball carnival game on the midway to come away with a stuffed animal.
It wasn’t the only thing Izzo — and his teammates — excelled at Saturday.
Izzo, a senior, and junior teammate Pat Hendrickson each fired 2-under-par 70s as Naperville North stunned a state-quality field to win the BG Invite team title with a score of 286.
Izzo and Hendrickson tied for second place individually as Nick Jan of Glenbrook North took home medalist honors with a 67.
Stevenson finished in a deadlock for third in the team race with Lake Forest. Glenbrook North took second.
“I played basketball up to the eighth grade, when I got cut from the team,” said Izzo. “I had the shot but not much else. That led me into golf and it’s worked out pretty well.
“I’ve been playing OK this year — I’ve been striking the ball well, and today I hit a 3-wood to within 2 feet on the second hole for an eagle putt.
“I played even the rest of the way, but I mean a 70 — I’ll take it.”
Sean McDonnell (73, 6 birdies on the day) and Raymond Knoll (73) each made big contributions to the North victory.
“This was an important tournament for us,” said North coach Ryan Hantak. “This was a strong field — with the likes of New Trier and Lake Forest here, among others — so I thought we’d do well to finish in the top seven.
“We were third in state last year and we lost five or our six starters (to gradutation), but our players this year are the hardest-working group of kids I’ve ever seen. They played great golf today at one of the best tourneys in the state.”
Nick Geissler (71, sixth place overall) and Jack Spellman (72, seventh) led a strong Stevenson effort, while Alex Quenan fired a 73 to lead Libertvyille.
Jack Ferguson and Zack Zauert were out front for Wheeling with 75s, while Steven Dodgen of Fremd and Ryan Krebs of Hersey each excelled by shooting 76.
“We always knew Ryan had the talent to be a great golfer,” said Hersey coach Dan Caporusso of Krebs, a senior. “He’s had his highs and lows but this is the year he’s starting to blossom.”
For his part, Krebs said not looking too far ahead Saturday led to his success.
“I came out today and tried to focus on playing each hole individually,” said Krebs, “and not look at the big picture.”